Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers: Week 1 Game Preview
By Erik Lambert
The Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers matchup for Sunday Night on opening day has plenty of hype around it, mostly because it’s an old, classic rivalry.
Do people think much will change from the way things have been for years? No. The Packers have owned the Bears for almost two decades thanks in large part to their extraordinary good fortune at the quarterback position. Chicago is now trying to forge their own destiny at that position while also regaining some of their trademark identity that has had success for decades.
It’s a case of history vs. faith. Which one do you trust more? Fans are going to find out in primetime at Lambeau Field. Here is the game preview for the upcoming festivities, covering everything from the biggest storylines to which players to watch and of course predicting who will win. Do you agree? Follow along to find your answer.
Storylines:
End of a (Chicago killing) era? – This will mark the first time Green Bay has played Chicago without two of their most notorious Bears killers. Wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who had five 100-yard games and four two-touchdown games against them, is gone. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers, who allowed 20+ points to them just six times in 19 games, was fired. They still have Aaron Rodgers but it’s uncertain if Mike Pettine and other receivers can step up to replace those two.
The Matt Nagy/Mitch Trubisky mystery – Most of the talk going into the game is about the new toys the Bears have on defense. In truth though it’s been the offense that lets them down too often against Green Bay. Head coach Matt Nagy was hired to change that. It starts with quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Many around the NFL still aren’t sold on the second-year passer and the preseason did little to move the needle. Nobody has a clue what to expect in this game.